Dr. Jess Mciver

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Jess Mciver. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Jess McIver is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He specializes in gravitational wave astrophysics and leads the UBC gravitational wave astrophysics research group. His research contributions primarily involve heavy participation in multi-messenger astronomy, where he investigates the properties of gravitational wave sources such as merging black holes and neutron stars. McIver has worked with the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and LISA Consortium since 2007, focusing on data calibration and characterization efforts of gravitational wave detectors. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University, a Master’s degree, and a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. His academic history includes postdoctoral work at Caltech and a tenure as an assistant professor before achieving his current position. McIver's research has earned recognition through various awards, including the Physics World Breakthrough Year accolades and the Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics awarded to contributors to the gravitational wave discovery. He is committed to advancing the field through both research and service in several scientific committees.

Research Interests

Gravitational Wave Astrophysics Multi-Messenger Astronomy Data Science Machine Learning Black Holes Neutron Stars Core-Collapse Supernovae

Experience

Associate Professor

2024-01-01 — Present

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

Assistant Professor

2019-01-01 — Present

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

Postdoctoral Scholar

2015-01-01 — 2019-01-01

California Institute of Technology • Pasadena, CA

Conducted research in experimental physics within the Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy.

Awards

#

Canada Research Chair in Gravitational Wave Astrophysics - Tier II

2021-01-01
#

2017 Breakthrough Year

2017-01-01
#

2017 Princess Asturias Award in Technical Scientific Research

2017-01-01
#

2017 Bruno Rossi Prize

2017-01-01
#

2016 Physics World Breakthrough Year

2016-01-01
#

2016 Gruber Foundation Cosmology Prize

2016-01-01

Requirements for University of British Columbia

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6.5
Reading
Required:6.5
Writing
Required:6.5
Speaking
Required:6.5
Overall
Required:7
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:100
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Philosophy or related field 3 credits in formal logic 6 credits at the upper level in history of philosophy 3 credits at the upper level in ethics or value theory 6 credits at the upper level in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of science
Application Checklist
  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Writing sample (15-20 pages)
  • Statement of intent
  • Evidence of English language proficiency
Specialization Notes

Offers course-only and thesis routes. Focus areas include philosophy of science, mind, ethics, and Asian philosophy.